After serving in the Peace Corps, Blake’s parents moved to the North Country and started a dairy farm. Blake grew up working on the farm, earned a degree in agriculture, and later worked for a farm equipment manufacturer. For the past 22 years, Blake has owned and operated Twin Mill Farms along with their family – their wife, Carmen, and their three boys, Miles, Truman, and Noah. They’ve come a long way, and Twin Mill Farms currently has over 1,000 acres of land, 500 dairy cows, and 12 full-time employees who work on the farm.
Blake has always loved farming, and it is hard work. They don’t get to take days off if they want, or sleep in when it snows. Years at a time, Blake was out the door at 3:30 am, 7 days a week, to milk the cows or feed the herd. That work ethic isn’t uncommon in the North Country. Working hard to make ends meet is expected there. It was the honor of Blake’s life to have that work recognized by fellow farmers and to be elected as their representative and Vice Chair of the Cooperative Board of Agri-Mark.
But owning a farm and helping oversee the Cooperative Board has taught Blake that it takes more than just one person, or even one family, to be successful… it takes a whole community! And people in the North Country look out for each other in good times and bad. Blake has seen this community on its best days, from hearing the cheer of friends and family on the sidelines as a youth soccer and JV basketball coach to seeing people from all over come together for barbecues, fireworks, and some friendly competition during their annual Fourth of July celebration at the farm.
On the harder days, Blake helps families in the North Country who are going through a battle with pediatric cancer find resources and coordinate the care they need. Blake started the Jules of Life Foundation because navigating the health care system alone is a Herculean task, and just being able to share knowledge and point them to resources makes a huge difference.
This community, these people, this land – it’s Blake’s life. They’ve given Blake purpose, a place to raise a family and instill in them the same values Blake’s parents taught, and the opportunity to give back. Blake isn’t a politician or a rich executive, but no one is more prepared to fight for the North Country in Washington than Blake.